KOCHI: Kalamassery municipality has set this month-end as the de facto deadline for the Kochi metro authorities to display their intent on addressing the issues raised by the civic body.
Speaking after an almost five-hour-long joint inspection by engineers of Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), and the municipality, municipal chairperson Jessy Peter said the civic body would determine its future course of action if the agencies were found wanting towards the end of this month.
“They [metro authorities] have agreed to restore the traffic signal at Kalamassery Premier Junction in a fortnight, while they have sought around 20 days for setting up streetlights on the stretch between Premier Junction and Muttom bridge. Another 30 days have been sought to address other issues flagged by the municipality, including restoration of drains and footpaths,” Ms. Peter said.
The joint inspection conducted in accordance with a decision taken at a meeting of stakeholders on Tuesday was carried out between the North Kalamassery station and Edappally Toll.
The municipal authorities pointed out the sorry state of drains along the stretch, which were either damaged or buried under the debris from metro construction work.
Ms. Peter said only those drains immediately beneath the metro stations had been restored. “This is inadequate, and drains on either side of the road along the stretch should also be repaired to prevent waterlogging,” she added.
“The metro authorities have sought time till next Monday to convey their decision on restoring the road leading up to the metro casting yard at Kalamassery. They were told that no work would be allowed in the casting yard till then. The road was damaged owing to the movement of heavy vehicles deployed for metro work,” Ms. Peter said. Earlier in the day, two counsellors intervened to prevent a move to resume work in the yard.
A demand was also made to elevate the culvert on the national highway at Pathadipalam as sought before. Attention was also drawn to the dumping of debris from the construction of Edappally flyover into the Edappally canal, and its removal was sought.
